Shower rod

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a shower rod including a flexible hollow tube and a flexible support operable to be disposed in the tube. The tube and the support are operable to be bent into a curved shape. In a pre-installed state, the tube and the support are generally straight. In an installed state, the tube and the support are generally curved.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a shower rod and, more particularly, to a curved shower rod.

BACKGROUND

Curved shower rods are often used because they provide more room in a bathtub/shower enclosure than straight shower rods. Due to their shape, curved shower rods are more difficult to handle than straight shower rods and require significantly larger packaging than straight shower rods. As a result, curved shower rods are significantly more expensive to handle, package, and ship than straight shower rods.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a shower rod. In an exemplary embodiment, the shower rod includes a flexible hollow tube. The tube is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The shower rod further includes a flexible support. The support is operable to be disposed in the tube and bent into a curved shape.

In another exemplary embodiment, the shower rod includes a flexible hollow tube. The tube has a pair of ends. The tube is generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state. The shower rod further includes a flexible support. The support is operable to be disposed in the tube. The support is generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state. The shower rod further includes a pair of brackets. Each bracket is operable to be attached to one end of the tube and to a supporting surface in an installed state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C are views of a shower rod in an installed state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention—FIG. 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front elevational view, and FIG. 1C is a top plan view;

FIGS. 2A-2C are views of an exemplary embodiment of a tube for use in the shower rod of FIGS. 1A-1C—FIG. 2A is a front elevational view, FIG. 2B is a top plan view, and FIG. 2C is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 2C-2C in FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-3C are views of an exemplary embodiment of a support for use in the shower rod of FIGS. 1A-1C—FIG. 3A is a front elevational view, FIG. 3B is a top plan view, and FIG. 3C is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 3C-3C in FIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A-4D are views of an exemplary embodiment of a bracket for use in the shower rod of FIGS. 1A-1C—FIG. 4A is an enlarged front elevational view, FIG. 4B is an enlarged rear elevational view, FIG. 4C is an enlarged left side elevational view, and FIG. 4D is an enlarged top plan view;

FIGS. 5A-5C are views of the shower rod of FIGS. 1A-1C in an assembled, but uninstalled, state—FIG. 5A is a front elevational view, FIG. 5B is a top plan view, and FIG. 5C is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line 5C-5C in FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A-6B are views of a shower rod according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention—FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the shower rod in a partially assembled, but uninstalled, state and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the shower rod in a completely assembled, but uninstalled, state; and

FIGS. 7A-7B are views of exemplary embodiments of a support and a connector for use in the shower rod of FIGS. 6A-6B—FIG. 7A is an enlarged partial perspective view of the support and the connector in an assembled, but uninstalled, state and FIG. 7B is an enlarged exploded partial perspective view of the support and the connector of FIG. 7A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a shower rod. An exemplary embodiment of a shower rod 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5. The shower rod 10 includes a flexible tube 12, a flexible support 14 disposed in the tube 12, and a pair of brackets 16 attached to the tube 12.

The tube 12 is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The tube 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2A-2C. The tube 12 has sides 18 extending between ends 20. The tube 12 has a length x_(t). Additionally, the tube 12 has a first width y_(t1) and a second width y_(t2). In an exemplary embodiment, the first width y_(t1) of the tube 12 is greater than the second width y_(t2) of the tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y_(t1) of the tube 12 is substantially greater than the second width y_(t2) of the tube 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube 12 is hollow and has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 12 is hollow and has a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape. However, the tube 12 could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 12 has a generally constant cross-sectional shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube 12 is plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube 12 is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In an exemplary embodiment, the tube 12 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, the tube 12 could be manufactured from other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 12 is a unitary component. However, the tube 12 could include multiple portions assembled together to form the tube 12 (as will be described in greater detail below).

The support 14 is operable to be bent into a curved shape. The support 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3C. The support 14 has sides 22 extending between ends 24. The support 14 has a length x_(s). Additionally, the support 14 has a first width y_(s1) and a second width y_(s2). In an exemplary embodiment, the first width y_(s1) of the support 14 is greater than the second width y_(s2) of the support 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y_(s1) of the support 14 is substantially greater than the second width y_(s2) of the support 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 14 is solid and has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 14 is solid and has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, the support 14 could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally elliptical cross-sectional shape and a generally circular cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 14 has a generally constant cross-sectional shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 14 is metal. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 14 is steel. In an exemplary embodiment, the support 14 is carbon steel 1010. However, the support 14 could be manufactured from other materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the support 14 is a unitary component. However, the support 14 could include multiple portions assembled together to form the support 14 (as will be described in greater detail below).

In the illustrated embodiment, the length x_(s) of the support 14 is less than the length x_(t) of the tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the first width y_(s1) of the support 14 is less than the first width y_(t1) of the tube 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the second width y_(s2) of the support 14 is less than the second width y_(t2) of the tube 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the second width y_(s2) of the support 14 is substantially less than the second width y_(t2) of the tube 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 12 includes a pair of generally C-shaped channels 26 extending along an interior of the sides 18 of the tube 12. Each channel 26 is operable to receive one side 22 of the support 14. However, the tube 12 could include other structure for receiving the sides 22 of the support 14. Moreover, the tube 12 may not include any structure for specifically receiving the sides 22 of the support 14 and the fit between the tube 12 and the support 14 could retain the support 14 in the tube 12.

Each bracket 16 is operable to be attached to one end 20 of the tube 12. Additionally, each bracket 16 is operable to be attached to one of two opposed supporting surfaces, such as opposed walls of a bathroom or a shower/tub enclosure. The bracket 16 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4A-4D. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 16 includes a base portion 28 and a raised portion 30. The raised portion 30 has an angled end 32. The angled end 32 enables the base portion 28 to be attached to the supporting surface with the base portion 28 parallel to the supporting surface and the angled end 32 parallel to the end 20 of the tube 12. However, the raised portion 30 of the bracket 16 could have a straight end and the tube 12 could have an angled end. Moreover, the bracket 16 may not include any raised portion and the tube 12 could have an angled end that abuts the base portion 28 of the bracket 16. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 16 includes a first pair of openings 34 and a second pair of openings 36. The openings 34 enable the bracket 16 to be attached to one end 20 of the tube 12 using screws (not shown) that extend through the openings 34 and into the channels 26 in the tube 12. The openings 36 enable the bracket 16 to be attached to the supporting surface using screws (not shown) that extend through the openings 26 and into the supporting surface. However, any attachment mechanism sufficient to attach the bracket 16 to one end 20 of the tube 12 and the bracket 16 to the supporting surface could be used. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 16 has a non-circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 16 has a generally elliptical shape. However, the bracket 16 could have other shapes, including, but not limited to, a generally rectangular shape and a generally circular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 16 is a unitary component. However, the bracket 16 could include multiple portions assembled together to form the bracket 16.

Prior to being assembled, the tube 12 and the support 14 are generally straight. To assemble the shower rod 10, the support 14 is completely disposed in the tube 12. More specifically, one side 22 of the support 14 is inserted into each channel 26 of the tube 12 and the support 14 is slid into the tube 12 until the support 14 is completely disposed in the tube 12. Each bracket 16 is then attached to one end 20 of the tube 12. The shower rod 10 is now assembled. After being assembled, the tube 12 and the support 14 are still generally straight. A length of the assembled shower rod 10 is greater than a distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the assembled shower rod 10 will be installed. The assembled shower rod 10 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5A-5C.

The assembled shower rod 10 (including the tube 12 with the support 14 completely disposed therein and the brackets 16 attached thereto) is next attached to the opposed supporting surfaces. First, one bracket 16 is attached to one supporting surface. The shower rod 10 is then bent so that the other bracket 16 can be attached to the opposed supporting surface. The shower rod 10 is now installed. After being installed, the tube 12 and the support 14 are generally curved. A length of the installed shower rod 10 is less than the distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the shower rod 10 has been installed. The installed shower rod 10 is shown in detail in FIGS. 1A-1C.

Another exemplary embodiment of a shower rod 100 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-7. The shower rod 100 includes a flexible tube 120, a flexible support 140 disposed in the tube 120, a pair of brackets 160 attached to the tube 120, and a connector 380 connecting portions of the tube 120 and the support 140.

The tube 120 is similar to the tube 12 described above. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the tube 120 includes a first tube portion 120A and a second tube portion 120B (whereas the tube 12 is a unitary component). The tube 120 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A-6B.

The support 140 is similar to the support 14 described above. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the support 140 includes a first support portion 140A and a second support portion 140B (whereas the support 14 is a unitary component). The support 140 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A and 7A-7B.

The bracket 160 is the same as the bracket 16 described above. The bracket 160 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A-6B.

The connector 380 is operable to connect the first tube portion 120A to the second tube portion 120B to form the tube 120. Additionally, the connector 380 is operable to connect the first support portion 140A to the second support portion 140B to form the support 140. The connector 380 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A and 7A-7B. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 380 includes a first connector portion 380A and a second connector portion 380B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector portion 380A is snap fit to the second connector portion 380B with the first support portion 140A and the second support portion 140B pressed between the first connector portion 380A and the second connector portion 380B. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the first tube portion 120A and the second tube portion 120B are clearance fit over the first connector portion 380A and the second connector portion 380B. However, any connector sufficient to connect the first tube portion 120A to the second tube portion 120B and the first support portion 140A to the second support portion 140B could be used.

Prior to being assembled, the tube 120 and the support 140 are generally straight. To assemble the shower rod 100, the first support portion 140A is connected to the second support portion 140B using the first connector portion 380A and the second connector portion 380B. The first support portion 140A and the second support portion 140B are then disposed in the first tube portion 120A and the second tube portion 120B. More specifically, the first support portion 140A and the second support portion 140B are slid into the first tube portion 120A and the second tube portion 120B, respectively, until the support 140 is disposed in the tube 120. Each bracket 160 is then attached to one end of the tube 120. The shower rod 100 is now assembled. After being assembled, the tube 120 and the support 140 are still generally straight. A length of the assembled shower rod 100 is greater than a distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the assembled shower rod 100 will be installed. The partially and completely assembled shower rod 100 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6A-6B.

The assembled shower rod 100 (including the tube 120 with the support 140 disposed therein and the brackets 160 attached thereto) is next attached to the opposed supporting surfaces. First, one bracket 160 is attached to one supporting surface. The shower rod 100 is then bent so that the other bracket 160 can be attached to the opposed supporting surface. The shower rod 100 is now installed. After being installed, the tube 120 and the support 140 are generally curved. A length of the installed shower rod 100 is less than the distance between the opposed supporting surfaces between which the shower rod 100 has been installed.

In the exemplary embodiment of the shower rod 100 shown in FIGS. 6-7, the tube 120 includes two tube portions 120A and 120B and the support 140 includes two support portions 140A and 140B. In other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod 100, the tube 120 and the support 140 include three or more portions. Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment of the shower rod 100 shown in FIGS. 6-7, the connector 380 includes two connector portions 380A and 380B. In other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod 100, the connector 380 is a unitary component or includes three or more portions. Further, in other exemplary embodiments of the shower rod 100, a connector for the tube 120 is separate from a connector for the support 140.

One of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that the present invention provides a shower rod including a flexible hollow tube and a flexible support operable to be disposed in the tube. The tube and the support are operable to be bent into a curved shape. In a pre-installed state, the tube and the support are generally straight. In an installed state, the tube and the support are generally curved. Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skill in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the following claims in light of their full scope of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower rod, comprising: a flexible hollow tube, the tube operable to be bent into a curved shape; and a flexible support, the support operable to be disposed in the tube and bent into a curved shape.
 2. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein: the tube has a first width and a second width, and the first width of the tube is greater than the second width of the tube; and the support has a first width and a second width, and the first width of the support is greater than the second width of the support.
 3. The shower rod of claim 2, wherein: the second width of the support is less than the second width of the tube.
 4. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein the tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
 5. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein the support has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
 6. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein the support is solid.
 7. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein: the tube has a generally constant cross-sectional shape; and the support has a generally constant cross-sectional shape.
 8. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein: the tube is plastic; and the support is metal.
 9. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein: the tube is a unitary component; and the support is a unitary component.
 10. The shower rod of claim 1, wherein: the tube includes multiple portions operable to be assembled together; and the support includes multiple portions operable to be assembled together.
 11. A shower rod, comprising: a flexible hollow tube, the tube having a pair of ends, the tube being generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state; a flexible support, the support operable to be disposed in the tube, the support being generally straight in a pre-installed state and generally curved in an installed state; and a pair of brackets, each bracket operable to be attached to one end of the tube and to a supporting surface in an installed state.
 12. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein: the tube has a first width and a second width, and the first width of the tube is greater than the second width of the tube; and the support has a first width and a second width, and the first width of the support is greater than the second width of the support.
 13. The shower rod of claim 12, wherein: the second width of the support is less than the second width of the tube.
 14. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein the tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
 15. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein the support has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
 16. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein the support is solid.
 17. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein: the tube has a generally constant cross-sectional shape; and the support has a generally constant cross-sectional shape.
 18. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein: the tube is plastic; and the support is metal.
 19. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein: the tube is a unitary component; and the support is a unitary component.
 20. The shower rod of claim 11, wherein: the tube includes multiple portions operable to be assembled together; and the support includes multiple portions operable to be assembled together. 